Inner sole



Jan. 30; 1945. F. L. AYl-:Rs 2,368,439

INNERSOLE Filed Dec. 29, 1941 l 2 sheets-sheetv 1 521:5 F3 gags:

Jan. 30, 1945. F. l.. AYERS INNERSOLE Filed Deo. 29,. 1941 2-SheetsSheet 2 Patented Jan. 30, v

l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Fred L. Ayers, Watertown, Mass. ApplloatlonDeoember 29, 1941, Serial No. 424,762

6 Claims.

'1'his.lnvention relates to shoe innersoles and has for an object to provide an innersole having a light weight flexible forepart and a heavier and stiffer shank and if ldesired with an inseam receiving rib continuous throughout the forepart and shank. l

For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of an innersole blank having a reinforced shank and heel portion, the reinforcement in the shank being channeled.

Figures 2 and 3 are detail sectional views on lines 2-2 and 3 1, respectively, of Figure l.

Figures 4 and 5'are detail sectional views similar to a portion of Figure 3 but showing modifications.

Figures 6 and 'l are views similar to Figure 2, but showing successive stages in further manufacture of the innersole.

Figure 8 is a sectional view on line 8-8 of Figure 9.

Figure 9 is a bottom plan view of the innersole in `condition for the assembling operation.

Figures 10 and ll are detail sectional views through the sole edge portions of the forepart and shank, respectively, of a lasted shoe after the placing of the inseam stitches.

Figure 12 is a sectional view similar to Figurev lil but showing the lasted shoe trimmed andthe outersole applied.

Figure 13 is a perspective view showing a modified construction of sole blank and shank and heel reinforcement.

Figure 14 is 'a view similar to Figure 13 but showing the innersole in a later stage of manufacture.

Figure 15 is a .detail sectional lli-I5 of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 14 but showing the innersole in condition for lasting.

Figure. 17 is a detail section on line Il-Il of Figure 16. v

Figure 18 is a fragmentary plan view of the innersole of Figure 16.

Figure 19 is a view similar to Figure 18, bu showing a modification.

Referring first to Figures 1, 2 and 3, at I is indicated a flat sole-shaped blank of thin stock. Since as it will later appear, it does not require to be channeled, it may be lighter and thinner than could be employed were channeling necessary. From about' the break line 2 of the sole and rearwardly throughout the shank and usually view on line alsoV the heel portion, there is applied to the lower face of the blank a stiflening layer 3. This may well be of relatively stiff material, such as leatherboard or the like, and it may be attached to the blank as by the use of an adhesive such as rubber cement, or by staples 4, or by both staples and cement, or by any other fastening means found K' desirable.

As shown in Figures I and 3, the stiifening layer 3 may be loutwardly channeled to form lips 5 extending from about the forward edge of the heel portion`forwardly through the shank, and toward the forward end thereof, which is preferably skived olf toform a relatively thin edge which extends to the break line 2.. Lines of stitching 50 `iust outwardly ofthe lips 5 may secure the layer 3 to the blank I. Against the lower.' face oi' the forepart of the blank and against the stiifening member 3 of the shank and preferably extending at least as far back as the forward edge of the heel seat, there is -cemented a reinforcing sheet material layer 6 (see Figure 7) which is preferably a fabric such as canvas. Around the forepart of the innersole `and between the outer margins of the blank i and the reinforcing layer 6, there is preferably cemented a piece of strip material I which is shown as folded longitudinally with the line of fold 8 positioned inwardly from the edge .of the blank. When this strip l is applied to the blankl before the reinforcing layer 6 is applied, the strip l will preferably be folded as shown so that the layer 6 may be readily applied thereto without the necessity of tucking in the reinforcing layer margin which would Ibe necessary were the top portion of the strip l extended sharply away from the surface of the blank.

As shown in Figure 9, the strip portion 1 is extended rearwardly of the break line 2 so that it passes over the outer face of the stiening layer 3 and is preferably inclined inwardly from the sole edge so as to come substantially into continuation with the ribs 5 upstanding from the stiffexiing layer 3. In the shank portion of the innersole between the lips B, the reinforcing layer 6 is tucked into the angle between the ribs 5 and the portion of the stiifening layer I between them, as is shown in Figure 8, and also the marginal portion of the layer 6 around the forepart, together with the upper layer of the strip material 1 is turned upwardly so that there is formed a continuous inseam receiving krib on the lower face of the innersole from the forward edge of the heel seat on one side. through the shank on that extent of this strip. For convenience it may be termed herein a "tapef It will be seen that this construction provides a continuous rib in connection with an innersole having as its foundation a blank of a thinness which could not be employed were it necessary to channel the blank. Thus the innersole blank may be of low cost and highly flexible in its forepart portion where flexibility isdesired and more rigid throughout the shank and heel portionwhere added rigidity is desirable. t

Instead of channeling the shank portion of the stiffening layer, a foundation rib may be secured thereto, as, for example, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 showing a double folded strip of fabric, or the like, as at I0, while Figure 5 shows a single strip II. These separate strips may be secured by any suitable means, as, for example, one or more lines of stitching I2 which prefer ably pass entirely through the innersole, including the blank I and the stiffening layer I, but as in the finished shoe the shank portion of the innersole is covered by the usual sock lining, such stitching or other fastening means does not show in the nished shoe. Throughout the forepart portion there is no stitching nor channels of any sort which might detract from the appearance of the finished shoe 0r result in gullies or other inequalities which might be uncomfortable to the wearer.

While the innersole may be used, if desired as the innersole of a welt shoe, it lends itself particularly well to the construction shown in Figures to 12 wherein a. welt or locking strip I5 is secured by stitching I5 passed through its inner edge through the upper materials, herein shown as an upper I1, and throughout the forepart through the strip 1 and the margin I8 of the renforcing layer 6. In the shank portion back of the ends of the tape 1, this stitching will pass through the margin I8 of the layer 6 and the foundation lip such as the lip 5, as well as through the upper I1. Of course, if the constructions shown in Figures 4 or 5 are employed, the lip 5 will not be present but the lips such as In or II will be substituted therefor.

Preferably the margin Il is turned inwardly over the inseam stitching and secured flat against the layer 8 inwardly thereof as shown in Figure 12, so that after trimming of the upper materials a plane surface is presented to which may be applied a permanent cement which bonds all the inseam parts firmly together. The outersole may then be secured by any desired means such, for example, as cement, or outersole stitching passing through the welt or locking strip I5, as may be desired.

Where it is inconvenient to extend the tape back of the break line and onto the stiifenins layer 3 where it should be placed further inwardly from the margins than in the forepart, this tape may terminateat about the break line and the shank portion may be somewhat differently treated to form the continuous lip with the forepart. Constructions of this character are illustrated in Figures 13 to 19. Figure 13 shows the thin blank l to which the stiffening layer 3a has been applied and secured as by cement, stapling or other means, as previously described. This stinening layer la is shown as unchanneled and the reinforcing layer l, with the tape 1 extending back only to the break line, is applied thereto. The shank may then be stitched from the rear edge ofthe layer 0 forwardly, the forward portions of the line of stitching 2l being brought outwardly toward the margin of the innersole so that at their forward ends they are at substantially the same distance from the margin as the fold line 8 of the tape. Thereupon when the margin of the layer d is lifted, it forms a continuous rib with the tape at the forepart and with the lines of stitching 20 in the shank. The stitching line 20, which extends entirely through the innersole, is covered in the finished shoe by the sock lining so that it does not marthe appearance of the completed shoe. 7

In some cases where it is desired to use a somewhat heavier blank which can be channeled, the tape may be omitted and the blank I a cut inwardly as shown in Figure 17 to form a light lip 2i about the forepart to which the margin Il of the layer 6 is secured and which performs the function of the tape 1 in the constructions previously described in denning an outer edge p0rtion of the inseam rib. This channel may extend back to the forward edge of the shank and heel stiflening layer, as, for example, the layer la shown in Figure 16, the stitching 20 in the shank portion of the shoe then forming the inner dening element for the margin I8 throughout the shank portion of the shoe, the stitch-receiving lip being continuous from the shank to the forepart as shown in Figure 18. 0r in place of employing the reinforcing layer 3a as shown in Figure 16. the reinforcing layer 3, such as illustrated in Figure l, with the lips 5 in the shank portion on the outer face of the margin I8 may be used, the innersole lip blank 2i then performing the same function around the forepart. Commonly it will be found desirable to stiften the margin I8, together with any other parts secured directly thereto, as, for example, the portion of the width of the tape 1 secured thereto or the channel lips 5 or 2l, and if desired'the margin I8 may be bent inwardly into contact with the adjacent face of the strip 5 in the position shown in Figure l2, before the inseam stitching is secured, in which case this portion will be raised as by a plow on the inseam fastening ma'- chine for the placing of the inseam fasteners and then returned to its folded condition.

The use of tape applied to the margin of the reinforcing sheet material in the forepart, or the forepart lip used in-place of the tape are not per se claimed herein as this forms subject matter of copending applications Serial Number 400,919 and Serial Number 420,075, respectively.

As in the constructions hereinbefore described, the rib may be left substantially vertical, or may be inwardly inclined for the inseam operation, and preferably thereafter, the rib is folded inwardly, at least around the forepart, into the position shown in Figure 12. In the shank portion it may be left downwardly projecting, if desired, to form a pocket within which the usual shank stiffener of metal or other similar material may be pocketed if it is desired to use such a stiifener. l

While as shown herein the stitch receiving rib, when extended into the shank, has been shown as terminating at about the forward end of the heel seat, it will be understood that it may be extended around the heel also if desired, depending upon the type of heel seat lasting desired. In shoes for babies and small children, especially, 'a stitching rib extending around the heel end of the innersole is often desirable.

From the foregoing description of certain embodiments of this invention, it should be evident to those skilled in the art-that various changes and modications might bemade without departing from the spirit or scope of this invern tion`as deinedl by the appended claims.

Iclaim: 1. An innersole comprising a fiat soleshaped l lblank, a stiifening layer. secured to one face of said blank from about the ybreak line rearwardly; a reinforcing sheet material I layer secured to said face at the forepart and to said stiifening layer throughout at least the shank portion, said inner- 4sole having an inseam receiving rib continuous throughout at least-the shank and forepart and including a marginal` portion of said reinforcing sheet material, said rib around the forepart including also a length of strip material engaging throughout a DOrtion of its width with the face of said blank and throughout another portion of said width with a'face of said marginal portion.-

2. An innersole comprising a flat solegshape'd 'blank, a stiifening layer secured to one face of said 'blank from about the break'line rearwardly, a reinforcing sheet material layer secured to said face at the forepart and to said stifiening layer throughout at least the shank portion, said innersole having an inseam receiving rib continuous throughout at leastthe shank and forepart and including a marginal portion of said reinforcing sheet material, said rib around the forepart including also a length of strip material engaging throughout fa portion of its width with the face of said blank andV throughout another portion of said width with a face of said mar-A 1 ginal portion, said length 0f strip material also extending into the shank portion and inclined further. inwardly from the periphery of said innersole than at the forepart.

3. An innersole comprising a fiat sole-shaped blank, a stiifening layer secured to one face of said blank from about the break'line rearwardly,

a reinforcing sheet material layer secured to said face at the forepart and to said stiifening layer throughout at least the shank portion, said innersole having an inseam receiving rib'continuous throughout the shank and forepart and including a marginal-portion of said reinforcing sheet material, said rib around the forepart including ,also a length of strip material engaging throughout a portion of its width with the -face of said blank and throughout another portion of said width with a face of said marginal portion, said rib in said shank portion comprising lips channeled from said stiffening layer.

f4. An innersole comprising a at sole-shaped blank, a stiflening layer secured to one face of said blank from about the break line rearwardly, a reinforcing sheet material layer secured to said face at the forepart and to said' stiening layer throughout at least the shank portion, said innersole having an inseam receiving ribbontinuous throughout the shank and forepart and including a marginal' portion of said reinforcing sheet material, said rib around the forepart including also `a length of strip material engaging throughout a portion or its width with the face V oi' said blank and throughout another portion of said width with a face of said marginal portion,

said rib in said shank portion comprising lips channeled'from said stiifening layer, said length of strip material also extending at least part way into saidshank and in said shank engaging said stinening layer.

5. An innersole comprising a flatsole-shaped blank, a stiifening layer secured to one face of said blank from about the break line rearwardly,

, a reinforcing sheet'material layer secured to said face at the forepart and'to said stiifening layer throughoutl atx-least the shank portion, said innerysole'r having an inseam receiving rib continuous stiilening layer, said'length of strip material and said lips being positioned against the same face of said marginal portion.

6. An innersole comprising a fiat sole-shaped blank, a stiffening layer secured to one face of said blank from about the break line rearwardly,

a reinforcing sheet material layer secured to said face at the forepart and to said stifiening layer throughout at least the shank'portion, said innersole having an inseam receiving rib continuous throughout the lshank and forepart and including a marginal portion of said reinforcing sheet material, said rib around the forepart including also a length oi' strip material engaging throughout a portion of its width with the face of said blank and' throughout another portion of said widthwith a face of said marginal portion, said rib in Isaid shank portion comprising' lips channeled from said `stiening layer, said length of strip material'also extending at least part way into said shank and in saidshank engaging and stiil'ening layer and forming substantially a con- ,60 tinuation of said lips.

FRED L. AYERS. Y

, CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION. rtynt No. 2,568,199. l Y January-56. 19u5- Y FRED L. .AYERSJ` It 1s hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification ofthe above numbered patent requiring correctiona follows.: Page 52, second column, line 458, for "andfafter "engaging" read said-g and thatv the said Letters Batent should be read with this .correction therenthet the same may conform to the record of the oase-1n the Patent Office.'

signed and sealed this 10th any of April, A. D. 1915.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting comssoner of Patents. 

